Abstract/Description

In a massive job creation programme in South Africa, 21,000 unemployed people, mostly women, have been employed to tear out harmful invasive plants, including trees (mainly acacia), prickly bushes and cacti, and aquatic plants. These plants, some of...

Notes

In a massive job creation programme in South Africa, 21,000 unemployed people, mostly women, have been employed to tear out harmful invasive plants, including trees (mainly acacia), prickly bushes and cacti, and aquatic plants. These plants, some of which have been introduced by people, already cover 10 million hectares. They are thirsty in consuming vast quantities of water, and it is estimated they will use up 36% of groundwater resources in 20 years from now. They also constitute a fire risk and are a threat to biodiversity. The Working for Water programme was created five years ago with the very ambitious goal of clearing the afflicted areas, and thereby creating employment in very disadvantaged areas. Experience has been less encouraging: despite 290 projects in nine provinces and 240,000 hectares being cleared, the areas affected have grown by 5% a year and, once they have been cleared, they need regular maintenance. Other measures are being thought up: biological control for one, and policies to encourage farmers to clear their land themselves. On top of this, herbicide manufacturers are being involved in funding the project, which needs ever more backing: ZAR 375 million ( 59 million) for 2000-2001. A case of the cure being worse than the case?
Working for Water Programme
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
Private Bag X313
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
Fax: + 27 12 326 27 15
Email: hanks@dwaf-wcp.wcape.gov.za
Website: www-dwaf.pwv.gov.za/idwaf/Projects/WFW/Default.htm